CRAFTING THEOETHICAL COUNTER-RHETORIC TO NATIONALISM'S RELIGIOUS RIPPLES (RSCE-4162)
(01/30/2023-05/19/2023)
Course Memo
As witnessed in the Jan 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, religious zeal, political partisanship, and supremacist factions were visible ingredients in the nationalist rhetoric of patriotism as mobs sought to overturn the country's electoral due process. In the aftermath of nearly 2 years, the ripples continue as congressional hearings on insurrectionist actions conclude with limited public scrutiny of the influences that biblical symbolism and theological rhetoric have on justifying or critiquing violence. Students engage multi-media sources to deliberate the ramifications of crafting theological and ethical narratives in our faith communities and the public square to counter separatist rhetoric. Critical analysis and interactive discourse include helping to plan a possible Spring symposium with guest speakers / panelists.